Drug Deal

On Monday - 4-2-7 at 2:46 in the afternoon - SE 3rd and Ankeny - I watched a drug deal go down. The dealer was one of the usual cast of characters.

Look don't believe the hype that there is a lessening of the drug trafficking in or around Old Town. Because of the move of the buses - it has only followed them. Frankly, my percipient experience is that the trafficking has increased.

Why? I am not sure. It may be the streets - now 3rd and 4th as opposed to 5th and 6th. It is also my experience that the trafficking is heavier on 3rd Avenue. It took the place of 5th. Am I more streetwise? I don't know - but I see little police presence.

Recently - there was a news media (print) that funds were being budgeted once again for police officers to show up at neighborhood meeting. This is part of Portland's 'community policing.' Give me a break.

I can only speak to the meeting that I have attended, with a one officer exception, those officers who attended where part of the eye rolling contingent. They knew that had to be there - and that was as far as they were going to go - attending.

Old Town is safe, i.e, considering those crimes that are considered crimes against the person or property crimes. Drug crimes are not reported in either of these categories. Despite requests for these statistics - they never are provided. The so called neighborhood crime prevention specialist fail at their jobs - arguably because it might be embarrassing.

Wouldn't it be interesting to know drug arrest statistics?: I have old statistics (2004) but I had to go down to the fortress to get them. Not that they were unresponsive - but it took my effort and time (most people don't have this) to accomplish this.

Otherwise, these never seem to be available. The media never asks for them. Afraid of what they may see - or just lazy reporting? Isn't it easier just to regurgitate that what is provided to them by the police or whatever bureaucracy?